Trail Talk
Hope Prevails – by Clayton Gillette
Trail Talk – October 2020
As we hope for the smoke to clear and the out-of-doors to become welcoming again after some fall rains, we are obligated to take stock of our climate crisis. “Mega-drought” feels […]
Making Tracks – by Clayton Gillette
Trail Talk – September 2020
“Leave only footprints; take only memories.” The hikers’ mantra played loudly in my subconscious on a recent walkabout far from our local trails. A quarter century ago, two motorcyclists ignored a […]
Improving Our Woodland Trails – by Clayton Gillette
Trail Talk – August 2020
Having recently spent some time running on trails farther afield, I am happy to report that our local trails are in tip-top shape. It is disappointing to see that so much […]
Summertime is Trail Time! – by Clayton Gillette
Trail Talk – July 2020
Summer is upon us. We can only hope for occasional rain to dampen our extreme fire season and keep the smoke from our skies. Dry, dusty conditions under a blazing sun […]
Are Horses Allowed in Forest Park? – by Max Woody, Public Works Director
This question comes up from time to time and the correct answer is…. not yet! The City of Jacksonville, the Forest Park Volunteers and some volunteers from local equestrian groups have been working for about […]
Honoring JWA’s Best
On June 13, members of the Jacksonville Woodlands Association gathered at the Beekman Arboretum to thank recently-retired members of its Board of Directors. Pictured here are Mark Burkhalter who served for 20 years, Skip Stokes […]
Our Wild Places – by Clayton Gillette
Trail Talk – June 2020
Living in a dynamic world, we’ve often been surprised by just how quickly our comfortable metaphoric rugs can be swept from underfoot. We are creatures of habit, and when our circumstances […]
Trail Talk – by Clayton Gillette
Submitted for May 2020 issue
The current state of global affairs has left me pondering opposing forces. Here we spend our days in our bubbles, isolating our physical selves for the sake of everyone’s well-being, while […]
Spring is Sprung – by Clayton Gillette
Trail Talk – April 2020
Aah, springtime in Southern Oregon with cabin fever driving us into the great outdoors! Henry Gibson told us, “Spring is sprung, The grass is ris, I wonder where the birdies is.” […]
Time to Walkabout – by Clayton Gillette
Trail Talk – March 2020
A recent conversation in Forest Park with a couple of mountain bike riders from the Seattle area gave good notice of the value of Jacksonville’s wooded trail system. Here, on a […]